Uganda Premier League side SC Villa announced the signing of defender Gavin Kizito.

Kizito returns to a side he captained in the 2021/22 campaign before going professional.

After putting pen to paper, the defender could not hold back his excitement.

“Villa is a club that has a special place in my heart,” Kizito revealed.

“I am overwhelmed by the welcoming messages from everyone at the club. I cannot wait to play for SC Villa when the season kicks off,” he added.

“I am looking forward to reaching our desired goals as a team, and I hope we have a successful season ahead.”

Last season Villa was on top of the log till witnessing a painful shift in things and they finished third in one of their best campaigns in recent years.

A lot has changed including playing and coaching staff but the 16-time record champions of the league will seek to repeat last season’s success or even make it better.

Their season will get underway on Friday, September 15 as they host league newbies Kitara FC at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku.

Uganda Premier League side SC Villa has announced the acquisition of versatile midfielder Elvis Ngonde.

Ngonde joins the Jogoo after spending a season at Jinja-based side Gadaffi FC.

According to the club’s official website, Ngode has been awarded a three-year employment contract keeping him at the club until 2026.

On arrival he said; “I am happy to join the Jogoos for the next three years.”

“I have been welcomed by everyone at the team and I have settled in well. SC Villa is a club that bases its roots on history and I am glad,” he added.

“I can only perform to my best to be part of the rich history. I just can not wait to see myself putting on the club jersey when the season begins.”

SC Villa will kick off the 2023/24 season against Kitara FC on Friday, September at Muteesa II Stadium.

Uganda Premier League side SC Villa have finally agreed terms with the forward Hakim Kiwanuka.

Reports indicate that Kiwanuka agreed to sign a three-year contract tying him to the club until 2026.

Since the departure of Charles Bbaale to Rwanda’s Rayon Sport, the Jogoo have been busy in the market looking for a suitable replacement.

The team had earlier acquired Denis Ojara but the lanky talisman suffered a nasty injury that will keep him out of action for quite a while.

Charles Lwanga was the immediate choice and the former Jogoo is back to the club to kick start from where his story with the historical club paused.

The acquisition of Kiwanuka means that SC Villa’s striking line will have Ivan Bogere, Lwanga and a new man into the fold.

His goal-scoring antics are not up for discussion having proved while at his former side Proline FC.

SC Villa will kickstart the 2023/24 campaign by hosting Kitara on Friday, September 15 at Muteesa II, Stadium.

FUFA Super 8 | Classification Game

• SC Villa 2-3 KCCA FC

KCCA FC edged SC Villa 3-2 in the FUFA Super 8 classification game played at MTN Omondi Stadium on Sunday to finish third.

It was a five-goal thriller as KCCA FC finished third in the game which attracted a huge crowd.

In the 21st minute, KCCA FC took the lead through Usama Arafat’s quick response into an empty net.

Ashraf Mugume’s well-weighed freekick caused trouble as SC Villa’s goalkeeper Norman Angufidru who tried to palm away but the ball sailed across the goal line.

With five minutes to play in the first stanza, Mujuzi was the saviour of KCCA as he shielded the ball in the dangerous area before Derrick Ochan collected the remains.

On the other side, KCCA made a quick transition before they witnessed Usama’s tap-in rattle off the frame.

In the 59th minute, SC Villa levelled the matters through David Owori from the 12-yard mark.

Five minutes later, Usama restored KCCA’s lead with a picture-perfect strike into the top corner of the net.

In the 69th minute, Mugume made it three with a crispy finish after being set up Usama in style.

There was a moment of madness in KCCA’s defence and Charles Lwanga was quick to respond and headed home as Mujuzi watched.

Johnson Odong found the back of the net but the assistant referee raised the flag citing an infringement on KCCA’s goalkeeper.

SC Villa were the best in the final minutes of the game but failed to guide the ball into the back of the net.

• Practice Game | Results
• Uganda Cranes 1-1 SC Villa

Uganda Cranes and Uganda Premier League side SC Villa shared spoils in a one-all draw after a practice game played at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku.

Denis Omedi scored for Uganda Cranes before Kenneth Semakula scored into his net and the game ended on a square note.

It was a trial game as Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic tried the sharpness and fitness of his troops ahead of the Niger clash early next month.

The Uganda Cranes squad was made up of the local contingent since the professionals have not yet hit the ground in the camp.

While SC Villa lined up a proper lineup as they sharpen their squad ahead of the FUFA Super 8 semifinal clash against KCCA FC on Sunday at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo.

The Cranes are third in Group F with four points remaining with one game to conclude the campaign.

The clash against Niger is a must-win and Cranes will pray Tanzania loses against Algeria for their chance to keep alive.

The Cranes will continue with preparations as the camp continues to welcome new members on board.

How they lined up

Uganda Cranes: Charles Lukwago (GK), James Begisa, Aziz Kayondo, Samson Kasozi, Kenneth Ssemakula, Siraje Sentamu, Brian Mato, Moses Waiswa, Laban Tibita, Milton Karisa, Marvin Oshaba.

SC Villa XI: Norman Angufidru (GK), Peter Onzima, Hamza Lutalo, Arnold Odong, Edward Masembe, Hamza Mulambuzi, Hamis Diego Ssemugera, Abasi Kyeyune, Ivan Bogere, Charles Lwanga, David Owori.

• FUFA Super 8 Semifinals | Result
• BUL FC 1(6)-1(5) SC Villa

BUL Football Club stormed the finals of the FUFA Super 8 after edging SC Villa on penalties.

In normal time, the two sides played to a one-all draw in the game that was played at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru on Monday.

The Jinja-based side showed composure and maturity fighting from a goal down to later register maximum points on the evening.

In the 10th minute, David Owori nearly gave SC Villa the lead from close range but BUL’s custodian Joel Mutakubwa pulled off a stunning save.

Nine minutes later, Peter Onzima delivered a darling cross into the area but Ivan Bogere failed to take away the cut clear chance.

As the game got closer to the half-hour mark, Reagan Kalyowa started to ask the SC Villa defence questions thus sending Simon Mukisa into the referee’s small book.

In the 26th minute, Onzima finally found the back of the net capitalising on Bogere’s precise through pass.

With four minutes to end the first stanza, Kalyowa was once again fouled at the edge of the area but the center referee awarded BUL a penalty.

Samuel Sekamatte stepped up for the assignment and sweetly guided the ball past Meddie Kibirige to restore parity.

The second stanza was cagey as both sides struggled to get ahead of the other.

It will be a painful evening for the Jogoo who claimed the penalty leading to an equalizer was from a foul that was outside the box.

After 90 minutes, the center referee sent both sides into penalties.

Samuel Sekamatte, Benon Tahomera, Ronald Otti, Joel Mutakubwa, Lawrence Tezikya, and Ibrahim Mugulusi scored for BUL while Douglaus Muganga fired the ball off target.

Umar Lutalo, Hamza Mulambuzi, Edward Masembe, Patrick Kakande, and Hakim Mutebi scored for SC Villa while Kenneth Semakula and Ronald Sekiganda failed to find the target from the 12-yard mark.

Starting XIs

BUL FC XI: Joel Mutakubwa (GK), Douglaus Muganga, Ronald Otti, Walter Ochora, Nicholas Mwerere, Kazindula, George Kasonko, Jerome Kirya, Martin Aprem, Samuel Sekamatte, Reagan Kalyowa

SC Villa XI: Meddie Kibirige (Gk), Peter Onzima, Umar Lutalo, Kenneth Semakula, Edward Masembe, Simon Mukisa, Hamza Mulambuzi, Ronald Ssekiganda, Hakim Mutebi, David Owori, Ivan Bogere

• FUFA Super 8 | Results
• Thursday, August 10, 2023
• SC Villa 2-1 Maroons
• BUL FC 1-0 Vipers SC

SC Villa registered a narrow 2-1 victory in the FUFA Super 8 quarterfinals at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku on Thursday.

SC Villa started with the most required pace committing several bodies in search of an opener right away.

In the 12th minute, Hakim Mutebi found the back of the net hence putting the home side ahead and the fans responded with drums and chants.

With a minute to hit the half-hour mark, Maroons levelled matters with a fine finish through Hadadi Kambugu to get back into the game.

From that point onward, Maroons got charge of the game forcing the hosts to get on the back fit but the score kept intact until the break.

At the start of the second stanza, SC Villa made an instant change introducing Ivan Bogere for Abas Kyeyune.

In the second half, Villa got better making well-crafted runs thus taking control of the game.

Seven minutes past half an hour mark, Denis Ojara turned up in the most required moment forcing the ball into this regaining Villa’s lead.

The victory for SC Villa takes the Jogoo to the semifinals where they will play against BUL FC that earlier edged Vipers in a 1-0 victory.

The tournament will continue tomorrow as URA FC take on Bright Stars at Metha Stadium, Lugazi while KCCA will lock horns with Wakiso Giants.

Forward Charles Lwanga has finally completed a deal that will see him return to SC Villa.

Lwanga dramatically left SC Villa in 2020 to join the Kasasiro Boys but he is back to don the blue and white colours of a Joogo.

According to Sports Nation, the striker has signed a three year employment contract that will tie him at the club until 2026.

Lwanga has started training with SC Villa and will fight for the starting berth against Denis Ojara who takes the role of leading the team upfront.

Villa managed to beat competition from Vipers SC and Rwanda’s Kiyovu that were also pushing for Lwanga’s signature.

At Villa Lwanga is guaranteed playing0 time since the competition is not tight like it was at KCCA FC.

While playing for Joggo Young, Lwanga scored 33 goals in 35 games and the star-man performance led to his graduation on to the senior team.

Villa will be playing Marons in the FUFA Super 8 as they seek to start the campaign on a positive note.

Uganda Premier League side SC Villa is set to release four players ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

According to Swift Sports, the four players are Fred Agandu, Pitsis Barenge, Hassan Musana, and Martin Elungat.

Reports indicate that the four are not in Dusan Stojavic’s plans going forward thus proposing their release.

Goalkeeper Elungat had quite a great start in the previous season before he was sidelined due to a shoulder injury suffered in the game against Express.

He struggled to reclaim his starting berth facing huge competition from Meddie Kibirige.

After switching from Onduparaka FC, Agandu joined the Jogoo as a right full-back a position he struggled to take over.

In the earlier campaign, he spent most of the time on the bench behind Gavin Kizito and later Tabu Oryem joined from Lugazi to take hold of the position.

Agandu was later pushed to the middle park in the holding role but still, he struggled to impress.

Musana and Barenge were some of the few senior players in the youthful Villa side.

The left-back joined the 16-time league champions from Gaddafi FC while Barenge switched from Mbarara City’s camp.

Uganda Cranes legend Andrew Mukasa also known as Fimbo was recognized with a Platinum Award during the 2022/23 UPL season awards at Sheraton Hotel, Kampala.

At the awards gala held on Thursday evening, Mukasa walked away with the award given to Vipers’s proprietor Dr Lawrence Mulindwa at last year’s ceremony.

Ismail Dhakaba Kigongo, the head of sports at Nation Media, heaped Mukasa with lots of praise revealing he is one of the finest finishers Uganda has witnessed.

“Fimbo (Mukasa) is probably one of the greatest finishers this country has ever produced,” Dhakaba said during the glamorous event.

“Charles Bbaale as you look at me, 12 goals is not even half of the goals that Fimbo scored in 1999 to win the golden boot. That year for SC Villa, Mukasa scored a record 45,” he added.

“It’s the highest number of goals one has scored in one season. That was to break a record by Jimmy Kirunda who had 32 in 1978 for KCC.”

“So we are looking at a gem of a player. You need to look at the size of his foot, it gave an advantage whenever he struck that ball. Thus gaining the name Fimbo because he struck such a ferocious shot.”

Mukasa has previously been troubled with illnesses such as mental disorders for quite a while hence hanging his boots earlier than thought.

It was a beautiful occasion to see the retired star smiling after a recognition of his exceptional talent that was witnessed back then.

Full list of individual winners

Player of the Season
Milton Karisa (Vipers SC

Goalkeeper of the Season
Simon Tamale (Maroons FC)

Defender of the season
Hillary Mukunda (Vipers SC)

Midfielder of the season
Laban Tibita (Busoga United)

Young player of the season
Darius Ojok (Maroons FC)

Fair play Team of the Season
Blacks Power

Coaches Player of Season
Milton Karisa.

Most Assists – Milton Karisa

Top Scorer – Allan Kayiwa